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anonymous19
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 28 Mar 2021, 05:55
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Although when a hagfish is threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity, it expands several hundred times as it absorbs seawater, forming a slime ball that can coat the gills of predatory fish and either suffocate them or distress them enough to make them flee.

Observe the non-underlined part in green - [color=#00a651]it (.....expands) refers to slime logically

[/color]
A) Although when a hagfish is threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity, (1st it n 2nd it are creating problem referring 2 different things)

B) Although a small quantity of slime is secreted by the hagfish, when threatened ( it here turns out to be ambiguous)

C) Although, when threatened, a hagfish will secrete slime that is small in quantity, ( it is wrongly referring hagfish)

D) Although the slime secreted by a threatened hagfish is small in quantity, (perfect without ambiguity)

E) Although the hagfish secretes a small quantity of slime when threatened, ( it is wrongly referring hagfish)

SC22260.02

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Please correct me if I am wrong, but I do not understand which ambiguity are you talking about in option B's 'it'?

How is it not clear that 'it' refers a hagfish ?? Please explain??

Although a small quantity of slime is secreted by the hagfish, when threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity,.......

I think the reason option B is wrong not because of any ambiguity, it is rather the meaning.

As per option B, the statement means that hagfish secretes slime and when threatened it expands.....

Whereas, the intended meaning is the hagfish secretes slime only if threatened...otherwise, it may or may not secretes slime. Let me know your thoughts, Thank you.
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 29 Mar 2021, 00:03
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anonymous19
Please correct me if I am wrong, but I do not understand which ambiguity are you talking about in option B's 'it'?

How is it not clear that 'it' refers a hagfish ?? Please explain??

Although a small quantity of slime is secreted by the hagfish, when threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity,.......
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Which option are you referring to? I don't see it will secrete... in option B.
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 29 Mar 2021, 04:52
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Please correct me if I am wrong, but I do not understand which ambiguity are you talking about in option B's 'it'?

How is it not clear that 'it' refers a hagfish ?? Please explain??

Although a small quantity of slime is secreted by the hagfish, when threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity,.......
Which option are you referring to? I don't see it will secrete... in option B.
Show more

What I meant was the core sentence's meaning. As per the main sentence, after adding option B, it states that hagfish secretes slime and when threatened it(hagfish) expands......

I was not trying to state option B here; I was simply trying to clarify what I understood of the sentence. I hope I was able to resolve your query. Thanks.


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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 29 Mar 2021, 05:14
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anonymous19

What I meant was the core sentence's meaning. As per the main sentence, after adding option B, it states that hagfish secretes slime and when threatened it(hagfish) expands......
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Well, this is not what B states.

Grammatically speaking, it in option B refers to slime and not to hagfish. So, B is technically stating that slime expands (not hagfish).

The thing is that technically, the pronoun it in B is ambiguous, since it has two eligible antecedents: slime and hagfish.

In case of pronoun ambiguity, application of following rule often comes in handy:

Grammatically, a Pronoun-subject in one clause can be presumed to refer to noun-subject of another clause.

The two clauses in option B are:
i) Although a small quantity of slime is secreted by the hagfish - slime (a small quantity of slime)is the noun-subject in this clause
ii) it expands several hundred times - it is the pronoun-subject in this clause

So, itrefers to slime.

Having said that, it's worth noting that pronoun ambiguity should not be the only reason to eliminate an answer choice.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses Pronoun ambiguity, its application and examples in significant detail. If you or someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 27 Apr 2021, 09:00
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Hi experts/GMATCLUB members, I still don't understand about the antecedent of "it" in option B. I thought the pronoun "it" clearly refers to "hagfish", not "slime" or "a small quantity of slime", below is my understanding:

I tried to change the sentence in option B from passive "Although a small quantity of slime is secreted by the hagfish, when threatened it expands" to active "Although the hagfish secretes a small quantity of slime, when threatened it expands" so I thought the pronoun "it" clearly refers to "hagfish" and doubted that pronoun ambiguity is the reason to eliminate option B. However, as per my understanding, B is incorrect because of the meaning. It's actually the slime that "expands", not the hagfish. Therefore option B is wrong. Is my approach, especially in determining the antecedent by changing a passive sentence into an active sentence, incorrect?

In addition, can we eliminate option A and C because of the use of "will" in the sentence rather than using present tense (because we are talking about facts here)?

I would be glad if someone can correct me or clarify my understanding. Thank you :)
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 29 Apr 2021, 20:10
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rifihuta
Hi experts/GMATCLUB members, I still don't understand about the antecedent of "it" in option B. I thought the pronoun "it" clearly refers to "hagfish", not "slime" or "a small quantity of slime", below is my understanding:

I tried to change the sentence in option B from passive "Although a small quantity of slime is secreted by the hagfish, when threatened it expands" to active "Although the hagfish secretes a small quantity of slime, when threatened it expands" so I thought the pronoun "it" clearly refers to "hagfish" and doubted that pronoun ambiguity is the reason to eliminate option B. However, as per my understanding, B is incorrect because of the meaning. It's actually the slime that "expands", not the hagfish. Therefore option B is wrong. Is my approach, especially in determining the antecedent by changing a passive sentence into an active sentence, incorrect?

I would be glad if someone can correct me or clarify my understanding. Thank you :)
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Interesting question! First, you're right to be skeptical about using pronoun ambiguity to get rid of (B). (Or any answer, for that matter.) But I wouldn't overcomplicate things by rewriting the sentence from passive to active. Just ask yourself if the sentence makes sense as is.

Turns out, it doesn't. The "although" tells us that we're about to get two contrasting clauses. In (B) our clauses are:

    1) A small quantity of slime is secreted by the hagfish
    2) it expands several hundred times as it absorbs seawater.

Those don't seem to contrast at all. Why, given that slime is secreted, should it be surprising that it expands?

It makes far more sense to have contrasting clauses like the ones we have in (D). Here our clauses are:

    1) The slime secreted by a threatened hagfish is small in quantity
    2) it expands several hundred times as it absorbs seawater

This works - there's not much slime secreted, but it gets way bigger when it absorbs seawater. The superior logic in (D) allows us to kill (B).

Quote:
In addition, can we eliminate option A and C because of the use of "will" in the sentence rather than using present tense (because we are talking about facts here)?
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First, note that you could eliminate (A) and (C) for the same reason we eliminated (B) above. The clauses don't logically contrast. That said, I think you're correct. The word "when" implies two actions happening at the same time, so it isn't logical to use the present tense for one verb and the future tense for the other.

I hope that helps!
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s Updated on: 02 Aug 2021, 00:22
Originally posted by GmatKnightTutor on 29 May 2021, 03:30.
Last edited by GmatKnightTutor on 02 Aug 2021, 00:22, edited 2 times in total.
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GMAT Sentence Correction - Hagfish or Slime? The importance of the non-underlined portion.

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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s Updated on: 27 Jul 2021, 22:39
Originally posted by thereisaFire on 30 May 2021, 09:35.
Last edited by thereisaFire on 27 Jul 2021, 22:39, edited 2 times in total.
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generis
Although when a hagfish is threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity, it expands several hundred times as it absorbs seawater, forming a slime ball that can coat the gills of predatory fish and either suffocate them or distress them enough to make them flee.

A) Although when a hagfish is threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity,

B) Although a small quantity of slime is secreted by the hagfish, when threatened

C) Although, when threatened, a hagfish will secrete slime that is small in quantity,

D) Although the slime secreted by a threatened hagfish is small in quantity,

E) Although the hagfish secretes a small quantity of slime when threatened,

SC22260.02
Show more

Hi VeritasKarishma AjiteshArun

I need to understand the main clause of the sentence and its intended meaning.
My understanding of the sentence is :
Although the hagfish secretes less slime, it expands 100 times....

I know E is incorrect, but I think the reason I have mentioned seems correct. And I am unsure on how to eliminate choice B and D, which seems incorrect to me, but I am not able to eliminate them on solid grounds.

Please help me in understanding choice B,D, and E.

My analysis:
Choice A: 2 independent clauses are connected just by comma (it will secrete slime ....... quantity, it expands). Hence wrong.
Choice B: Not sure
Choice C: Wordy. "secrete slime that is small in quantity," could have been made better by rephrasing it to secrete slime in small quantity. Hence wrong.
Choice D: Not sure
Choice E: States a fact that the "the hagfish secretes a small quantity of slime when threatened". Hence correct.

Second, are both the below mentioned sentences correct? (In choice D, there seems a similar formation as in S2)

S1: Although the car is expensive, the affluent class can afford it.
S2: Although the car is expensive, it is affordable by the affluent class.
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 01 Jun 2021, 01:45
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Hello Experts MartyTargetTestPrep, GMATNinja, GMATGuruNY, AjiteshArun, generis, @MentorTutoring, @EducationAisle;
Will you please explain why in (E), "it" refers to "Hagfish" and not "Slime" (which is the closer noun)?
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 01 Jun 2021, 01:51
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Will you please explain why in (E), "it" refers to "Hagfish" and not "Slime" (which is the closer noun)?
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Hi Pranjal, it is technically an ambiguous pronoun in E, since it can refer to hagfish or to slime.

In case of ambiguous pronouns, it's generally not the touch rule (the noun touching the pronoun) that matters.

In case of pronoun ambiguity, application of following rule often comes in handy:

Pronoun-subject in one clause can be presumed to refer to noun-subject of another clause.

The two clauses here are:
i) Although the hagfish secretes a small quantity of slime when threatened - hagfishis the noun-subject
ii) it expands several hundred times as it absorbs seawater - it is the pronoun-subject

So, it refers to hagfish.

Having said that, it's worth noting that pronoun ambiguity should not be the only reason to eliminate an answer choice.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses Pronoun ambiguity, its application and examples in significant detail. If you or someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 01 Jun 2021, 21:57
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pranjalpathak07
Will you please explain why in (E), "it" refers to "Hagfish" and not "Slime" (which is the closer noun)?
Hi Pranjal, it is technically an ambiguous pronoun in E, since it can refer to hagfish or to slime.

In case of ambiguous pronouns, it's generally not the touch rule (the noun touching the pronoun) that matters.

In case of pronoun ambiguity, application of following rule often comes in handy:

Pronoun-subject in one clause can be presumed to refer to noun-subject of another clause.

The two clauses here are:
i) Although the hagfish secretes a small quantity of slime when threatened - hagfishis the noun-subject
ii) it expands several hundred times as it absorbs seawater - it is the pronoun-subject

So, it refers to hagfish.

Having said that, it's worth noting that pronoun ambiguity should not be the only reason to eliminate an answer choice.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses Pronoun ambiguity, its application and examples in significant detail. If you or someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.
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Hi Ashish,
Thanks for the reply and the excerpt you sent from your book.
The explanation in the book was easy to understand and highly helpful.
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 27 Jul 2021, 18:56
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I got a small question here,

Although when a hagfish is threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity, it expands several hundred times as it absorbs seawater, forming a slime ball that can coat the gills of predatory fish and either suffocate them or distress them enough to make them flee.

B) Although a small quantity of slime is secreted by the hagfish, when threatened

My question:
"Although" should be followed by a main clause. That is, "Although S + V, S + V." So is option B wrong by using "Although S + V, when threatened S + V"?

Thanks in advance!
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 28 Jul 2021, 03:05
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generis
Although when a hagfish is threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity, it expands several hundred times as it absorbs seawater, forming a slime ball that can coat the gills of predatory fish and either suffocate them or distress them enough to make them flee.

A) Although when a hagfish is threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity,

B) Although a small quantity of slime is secreted by the hagfish, when threatened

C) Although, when threatened, a hagfish will secrete slime that is small in quantity,

D) Although the slime secreted by a threatened hagfish is small in quantity,

E) Although the hagfish secretes a small quantity of slime when threatened,

SC22260.02

Hi VeritasKarishma AjiteshArun

I need to understand the main clause of the sentence and its intended meaning.
My understanding of the sentence is :
Although the hagfish secretes less slime, it expands 100 times....

I know E is incorrect, but I think the reason I have mentioned seems correct. And I am unsure on how to eliminate choice B and D, which seems incorrect to me, but I am not able to eliminate them on solid grounds.

Please help me in understanding choice B,D, and E.

My analysis:
Choice A: 2 independent clauses are connected just by comma (it will secrete slime ....... quantity, it expands). Hence wrong.
Choice B: Not sure
Choice C: Wordy. "secrete slime that is small in quantity," could have been made better by rephrasing it to secrete slime in small quantity. Hence wrong.
Choice D: Not sure
Choice E: States a fact that the "the hagfish secretes a small quantity of slime when threatened". Hence correct.

Second, are both the below mentioned sentences correct? (In choice D, there seems a similar formation as in S2)

S1: Although the car is expensive, the affluent class can afford it.
S2: Although the car is expensive, it is affordable by the affluent class.
Show more

thereisaFire

This is what the sentence wants to convey:

When a hagfish is threatened, it secretes slime. The amount of slime secreted is small. But the slime expands several hundred times as it absorbs seawater and forms a slime ball. This slime ball can suffocate the predator.

Note that the hagfish does not expand several hundred times as is absorbs water. It is the slime that expands and forms a slime ball.

Now go back to the options.

A) Although when a hagfish is threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity, it expands several 100 times...

This conveys that the hagfish expands. Also, there is no contrast in "when a hagfish is threatened" and "it will secrete slime".

B) Although a small quantity of slime is secreted by the hagfish, when threatened

Here, "when threatened" connects to "it expands several 100 times". Also what expands we don't know.

C) Although, when threatened, a hagfish will secrete slime that is small in quantity, it expands several 100 times...

This seems to convey that the hagfish will expand several 100 times.

D) Although the slime secreted by a threatened hagfish is small in quantity,

Correct. The slime will expand several 100 times.

E) Although the hagfish secretes a small quantity of slime when threatened,

Again, seems like the hagfish will expand.

Answer (D)
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 08 Aug 2021, 11:25
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generis
Although when a hagfish is threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity, it expands several hundred times as it absorbs seawater, forming a slime ball that can coat the gills of predatory fish and either suffocate them or distress them enough to make them flee.
Show more

A) Although when a hagfish is threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity,
The meaning isn't right it discusses two different things

B) Although a small quantity of slime is secreted by the hagfish, when threatened
The meaning is ambigious and the inclusion of when threatened at the end is inappropriate

C) Although, when threatened, a hagfish will secrete slime that is small in quantity,
These are independent clauses they don't have to be seperated through commas

D) Although the slime secreted by a threatened hagfish is small in quantity,
This is the intended meaning therefore let us hang on to it

E) Although the hagfish secretes a small quantity of slime when threatened,
The meaning is ambigious and distorted

Therefore IMO D
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 27 Oct 2021, 11:54
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Quote:
Although when a hagfish is threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity, it expands several hundred times as it absorbs seawater, forming a slime ball that can coat the gills of predatory fish and either suffocate them or distress them enough to make them flee.
A. Although when a hagfish is threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity,
B. Although a small quantity of slime is secreted by the hagfish, when threatened
C. Although, when threatened, a hagfish will secrete slime that is small in quantity,
D. Although the slime secreted by a threatened hagfish is small in quantity,
E. Although the hagfish secretes a small quantity of slime when threatened,
Show more





Sentence Structure


Meaning

The sentence starts by presenting information about what a hagfish does when threatened; it will secrete slime in a small amount. The sentence continues to explain that something expands several hundred times. However, the first use of the pronoun “it” clearly refers to the “hagfish,” but the second two uses of “it” in the non-underlined portion of the sentence force us to question whether it is the “hagfish” or the “slime” that expands and absorbs seawater. The logical inference here is that the slime would expand several hundred times as it absorbs seawater and forms a slime ball. Finally, we are presented with information about what this slime ball does. The slime ball is used as a defense mechanism against predatory fish, coating their gills, suffocating them, or distressing them enough so that they will flee.




Pronoun Error leading to Meaning Error: The two uses of the pronoun “it” create ambiguity and confuse the meaning of the sentence. The first use of the pronoun “it” clearly refers to the subject “hagfish” and is logically and grammatically correct. However, the second and third uses of the pronoun “it” create confusion, as discussed in the Meaning Analysis, it is unclear if these pronouns refer to the “hagfish” expanding several hundred times and absorbing seawater or the “slime.” Now, subject pronouns tend to refer to the subject of the sentence, so grammatically, “it” should refer to the subject “hagfish.” This pronoun-antecedent relationship creates illogical meaning, as discussed above in the Meaning Analysis.



A. Although when a hagfish is threatened, it will secrete slime that is small in quantity,
Incorrect: This choice has a Pronoun Error discussed in the Error Analysis.



B. Although a small quantity of slime is secreted by the hagfish, when threatened
Incorrect: Modifier Error leading to Meaning Error: The modifier “when threatened” modifies the action of expanding several hundred times. So, this modifier associates with the subject pronoun “it” that grammatically refers to the subject noun “a small quantity of slime.” But this modification is illogical as it suggests that a small quantity of slime expands when threatened. Logically, the hagfish is threatened, not a small amount of slime.


C. Although, when threatened, a hagfish will secrete slime that is small in quantity,
Incorrect: Pronoun Error leading to Meaning Error: Again, in this option, the antecedent of the pronoun “it” appears to be the “hagfish” and not the “slime.” This option creates the same meaning confusion identified in the original sentence.


D. Although the slime secreted by a threatened hagfish is small in quantity,
Correct: This choice has moved “slime” to the subject position in the sentence making “slime” the clear antecedent of the pronoun “it.” This option is logically and grammatically correct.


E. Although the hagfish secretes a small quantity of slime when threatened,
Incorrect: Pronoun Error leading to Meaning Error: Once again, the antecedent of the pronoun “it” appears to be the “hagfish,” which creates an illogical meaning.



1. Always remember to ask the question, “Does this make sense?” to decipher the logical intended meaning of the author.
2. Using the intended logical meaning, you can better understand the author’s intent and identify the errors that impede that communication.
3. Always consider how the non-underlined portion of the sentence interacts with the underlined portion and how structural changes made in the underlined portion influence the non-underlined portion.
4. A pronoun in the subject place generally refers to a noun in the subject place.

I hope this helps clarify.
Cheers!
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 19 Jan 2022, 01:22
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V48 GMAT Tutor Tip - Sentence Correction - Hagfish or Slime?



Tip: Leverage the whole sentence.

All the best.

5 Verbal Tips from a V48 GMAT Tutor
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PranjalJ
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 25 Jan 2022, 13:59
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Could someone please tell me why in Option D "it" presented in the non-underlined portion is referring to "slime" and why the same "it" presented in option E is not referring to "slime"?

I read all replies but still do not understand why D is correct and E is not.
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 25 Jan 2022, 14:31
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PranjalJ
Could someone please tell me why in Option D "it" presented in the non-underlined portion is referring to "slime" and why the same "it" presented in option E is not referring to "slime"?

I read all replies but still do not understand why D is correct and E is not.
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Hello, PranjalJ. The simplest way I can think to explain the issue is that once you identify the subject of an as clause, you anticipate that a pronoun that begins the main clause will refer to that subject. If we strip (D) and (E) of their "predicates," from the verb form of secrete on, it comes down to an easy choice:

(D) Although the slime... it
(E) Although the hagfish... it

The logical predication of the former is sound—slime as the subject of the introductory clause is referred to as it in the main clause that follows. Meanwhile, the latter is unclear at first. The structure creates an expectation that it will refer to the hagfish and that information about that hagfish will follow. It is jarring to then encounter what follows:

[the hagfish] expands several hundred times as it absorbs seawater, forming a slime ball...

Now, just how does a fish absorb seawater and form a slime ball? What happened to the first excretion of slime from earlier in the sentence? It makes way more sense to say that a bit of slime excreted by the hagfish absorbs water and grows into this slime ball.

If you find yourself having to go back and forth in a sentence to qualify a pronoun, then you are probably doing too much work, and there will almost assuredly be a better way of expressing that thought, one that runs from left to right.

Good luck with your studies.

- Andrew
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 26 Jan 2022, 14:35
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Hi Andrew,

Thank you for your answer.
Although "slime" is close to "it" in Option E, this is incorrect because the subject of the dependent clause is "Hagfish", which is considered as an antecedent for "it".
Please correct me if I am wrong.

-Pranjal
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Although when a hagfish is threatened it will secrete slime that is s 26 Jan 2022, 14:43
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PranjalJ
Hi Andrew,

Thank you for your answer.
Although "slime" is close to "it" in Option E, this is incorrect because the subject of the dependent clause is "Hagfish", which is considered as an antecedent for "it".
Please correct me if I am wrong.

-Pranjal
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Yes, Pranjal, you have it just right. When it comes to meaning, you want the sentence structure to be as clear as possible. For reasons explained above, (E) creates confusion. (Be sure to read the whole sentence to check for contextual clues. I could see many people selecting (E) out of habit on this one.)

- Andrew
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